May Day expected to deliver sunshine

Cloudy skies are in the forecast for Bloomsday on Sunday, and Climatologist Cliff Harris is holding out hope that rain is on its way to the area. 

“We’ve had way less rain and we’re really dry. We need a wet May," Harris said Wednesday. “I’m concerned about fires if rainfall doesn’t pick up, but right now, I don’t see any rain on the horizon.” 

Harris has been keeping an eye on a storm at the Gulf of Alaska to see if it will bring much-needed moisture to North Idaho.

“If that curves a little bit and comes in, then we’ll get some rain,” Harris said. 

Forecasts are calling for the 70s today, May Day, and Friday. The high temperature for Sunday is predicted to hover around 60 degrees, which would be good for the estimated 30,000 or so runners and walkers registered for the 7.46-mile road race in Spokane.

Weather patterns in the area have been fluctuating from colder to warmer than normal with fewer instances of a “happy medium” when it comes to precipitation, making it more difficult for planting for the agricultural season. 

“We’ve been in a pattern of extremes,” Harris said. 

There was less snowfall this past winter and the precipitation level sits at 36.1 inches for the area, about half of the normal amount, Harris said,

“It’s not devastating, but it could be if we don’t get 2 or 3 inches in May. It all comes down to the next few days what’s going to happen with this high pressure,” Harris said. 

While Bloomsday racers may not wish for rain, those watching the skies are hoping it arrives before the summer heat ratchets up the likelihood of wildfires.

“We’re playing the waiting game,” Harris said.